Suffering Is Inevitable As We Await Eternal Perfect Joy

August 30, 2018

“God is love and God is holy. He is the God of holy love, the God whose love never compromises His holiness and whose holiness never trivializes His love. It is this God who tells a story that requires us to tremble, because He cannot and will not allow true disciples to be satisfied with less than the depths of His holy love. Suffering is inevitable in order to combat premature contentment with a comfortably blessed life. God can and will do a good work in us that empowers us to patiently endure life’s difficulties He does not prevent as we wait eagerly for the eternity of perfect joy He promised.”

Questions for Reflection:
• When injustice or other suffering is unrelenting, how do you draw near to God rather than numbing out or pulling away from Him?
• Although suffering is an inevitable part of life in a fallen world, does the knowledge that God works good in and for us in the midst of suffering give purpose to how you endure pain and how you engage God amid loss?
• Take some time to share your heart honestly with God today. If you can embrace enduring the hard things you’re facing as part of becoming like Jesus, thank God for that hope. However, if you feel crushed by the burden you’re facing, pour that out in His presence as well, trusting that His love can hold onto you even when you’re too overwhelmed to draw near to Him.